NIAGARA, Wis. — While I was thinking about what to write this week, it seems that the forces aligned to decide for me. I am reading about the history of agriculture, quotations about October hit my inbox, and an article about October emerged from the internet. And they all got me remembering about this time of year in my youth. So here goes — my tribute to October.

I grew up in Ripon, Wis., which was set in the heart of some of the richest farmland in the state. My grandparents were farmers, and my siblings and I spent many wonderful days on their property, where we always had fun adventures. We climbed trees; our favorite being the mulberry tree strategically located right beside the big propane tank.

It was an easy jump from that tank into the tree, where we feasted on those berries. Our mother asked, “Have you been up in that mulberry tree again?” to which we always answered in the negative while our purple-stained faces and hands told the truth. We also climbed nearly to the top of the pine tree in the front yard, its branches getting closer together the further we climbed.

We ran the rows of the cornfields, caught toads and swam them in the water tank of the milk house, and climbed on the bales of hay in the barn. We also ran down to the bog area that had not as yet been turned into a field fit for planting. We jumped from bog to bog never completely missing the water in between those muddy mounds. We would return with shoes and socks soaked. Sometimes we walked the couple of miles down to the hunting shacks on the shore of Rush Lake or explored the small wooded area of sugar maple trees.

If it was planting season, we sometimes stood on the tractor next to our grandfather as he plowed the fields getting the soil ready for the seed. I can still picture those huge tractor wheels churning up the dirt.

If it was harvest time, we watched as the grain wagon, which had just miraculously collected all of the grain from the field, turned into a conveyor belt that carried all that grain up to and through the roof of the granary to be safely stored away from the wet weather. Corn that had been planted in nice neat “checkerboard” rows in the spring was now cut. Its stalks were chopped into fodder for animal feed and the cobs stored in “cribs” with open slat sides.

Sometimes my grandfather would attach a wooden cart on the back of the small tractor so the four of us could pile in and ride along as he drove the few miles to pick up his mail. It was only delivered so far by the post office. The mailboxes for all of the neighboring farmers were attached to a big wagon wheel mounted to a sturdy post at the junction of two roads; everyone just drove there to pick up their mail.

My grandmother was a very busy farm wife in the days before indoor plumbing. She carried buckets of water from the electric pump just outside the milk house to her kitchen for cooking and cleaning. She planted and harvested a massive garden; I helped her gather potatoes.

She preserved everything that came out of that garden in one way or another — either canning or storing in root cellars mysteriously located under the porch floors. She raised chickens and sold their eggs. She also preserved the game — mostly waterfowl — that various hunters would kill along the shores of their land. We routinely played in my uncle’s duck blinds. Over the winter months, she would patiently work on hickory nuts, extracting the meat from their many chambered, very hard shells. There was a grove of them on the farm.

Back then we had little knowledge of, or appreciation for, all of the work that went into farming. We just knew it was a great place to visit. The days stretched out long before us all summer and into the autumn months. I remember that farm and my grandmother every year at this time.

Before we moved this far north, my husband and I had never seen acres of hardwoods. We had colorful neighborhood streets or scattered maple trees along country roads, but nothing can compare to the autumn scenes up here. We both love this season and find ourselves wishing it would last longer. Apparently, we are not the only ones as this short collection of quotations reveals.

“I remember it as October days are always remembered: cloudless, maple-flavored, the air gold and so clean it quivers.” — Leif Enger

“October had tremendous possibility. The summer’s oppressive heat was a distant memory, and the golden leaves promised a world full of beautiful adventures. They made me believe in miracles.” — Sarah Gillory

“It was one of those last wonderful days in October, when the air is balmy and the faded sun tries to pretend it’s spring.” — Jacqueline Susann

“Listen! The wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves. We have had our summer evenings; now for October eves!” — Humboldt Wolfe

“The last warm sun of the year slanted red through the sugar maples … You don’t waste October sunshine.” — Katherine Arden

“Today, in October sun, it’s all gold — sky, and tree and water. Everything just before it changes looks to be made of gold.” –Eudora Welty

One trip to the grocery store will tell you when autumn begins as the produce department is full of all varieties of apples at reasonable prices. Here are some little-known facts about apples.

— Modern apples are descended from a single wild ancestor. Though the apple was originally found in the foothills of mountains in Asia, its seeds were spread by birds and bears. More than 4,000 years ago, apples made their way to Europe and beyond via trade routes.

— The United States ranks second only to China in apple production. There are more than 26,000 apple growers over 382,000 acres across all 50 states; 11.1 billion pounds of apples are grown annually. China produced 47 million metric tons of apples in 2022.

— Gala apples are the top-selling apples in the United States. They make up 19% of the apple sales nationwide.

— It takes at least four years for trees to produce apples, and they can continue to produce for another three decades. The entire life span of an apple tree is about 50 years although some can survive for 100 years. In 2020, an apple tree believed to be the oldest in the Pacific Northwest died at the “ripe old age” of 194!

— Apples are very healthy. They are loaded with high levels of vitamin C, fiber and disease-fighting antioxidants. Research has shown that a steady diet of apples can reduce the chances of heart disease, diabetes and some cancers while supporting weight loss and a healthy stomach. Apples are healthiest when eaten raw with their skins.

— Apples are best stored separately in the refrigerator away from other produce. They release a gas called ethylene that speeds up the ripening and spoiling of other fruit stored nearby.

Such is my ode to autumn. I am sure you love this season as well for all of your own reasons. Enjoy it while you can … we all know what comes next!

——

NURSING HOMES/SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES

Freeman Nursing and Rehabilitation Community

Kingsford

906-774-1530

They welcome anyone who would like to entertain residents. Volunteers are also needed to help with crafts and other activities.

Sunday: Church on TV, 10 a.m.; coloring/residents’ choice, 1 p.m.

Monday: Rosary, 10 a.m.; room visits, 10 a.m.; music, 11:45 a.m.; work field, 1:30 p.m.; Yahtzee, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Church with Lisa, 10 a.m.; ball workout, 10:30 a.m.; trivia, 11:45 a.m.; crafts, 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday: For the love of nails, 10 a.m.; music, 11:45 a.m.; music with Andy, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Room visits, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:45 a. m.; horseshoes, 2 p.m.; darts, 2:30 p.m.

Friday: White board game, 10 a.m.; music, 11:45 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Horse racing, 10 a.m.; ice cream, 1 p.m.; resident choice, 3 p.m.

Iron County Medical Care Facility

Crystal Falls

906-874-1501

Sunday: Room visits, 9 a.m.; high rollers, 10 a.m.; chair exercise, 11 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 p.m.; afternoon matinee with popcorn, 1:30 p.m.

Monday: Crafts, 9 to 10:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; Riddler, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Sunshine Club, 9 a.m.; Book Club, 10 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 10 a.m.; wildlife film, 1:30 p.m.; getting pretty, 1:15 p.m.; Men’s Club, 2:15 p.m.; musical movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Community breakfast, 8:30 a.m.; spelling bball, 10 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; current events, 2 p.m.; night bingo, 6 p.m.

Thursday: Puzzler, 9:30 a.m.; bowling, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 1 p.m.; United Lutheran, 2 p.m.; happy hour with music, 2:30 p.m.

Friday: Memory books, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; mystery ride, 1 p.m.; volleyball, 2 p.m.; action movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: Puzzler/room visits, 9 a.m.; Hangman, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; social hour, 2 p.m.

Optalis Healthcare

(formerly ManorCare/ProMedica)

Kingsford

906-774-4805

Sunday: Morning mixer, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Flip-o, 1 p.m.

Monday: Wet your whistle, 9 a.m.; exercise, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Bob Larson, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Wet your whistle, 9 a.m.; chair yoga, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Hangman, 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Leisure cart, 9 a.m.; devotional, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; First Lutheran Church service, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Wet your whistle, 9 a.m.; stretch it out, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; religious craft, 1:30 p.m.

Friday: Chips and chatter, 9 a.m.; reminiscing, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; bingo, 1:30 p.m.

Saturday: Morning mixer, 9:30 a.m.; manicures, 10:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; sweet treat, 1 p.m.

Maryhill Manor Nursing Home

Niagara, Wis.

715-251-3172

Family members are invited to daily scheduled activities.

Sunday: Coffee and crafts, 10 a.m.; delivery of communion, 12:30 p.m.; rummage bingo, 2 p.m.

Monday: Rosary/communion, 9 a.m.; pamper and polish, 10 a.m.; joker-eno, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Tuesday: Rosary/communion, 9 a.m.; exercise, kickball, 10 a.m.; resident council, 2 p.m.; Scattegories, 2:30 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Rosary/communion, 9 a.m.; Yahtzee, 10 a.m.; whammo, 2 p.m.; evening prayer, 5 p.m.

Thursday: Rosary/communion, 9 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, ring toss, 10 a.m.; Scrabble, 2 p.m.

Friday: Men’s breakfast, 7 a.m.; Uno, 10 a.m.; C&R happy hour, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Morning mingle/“spelling bee,” 10 a.m.; romance movie and popcorn, 2 p.m.

Florence Health Services

Florence, Wis.

715-528-4833

There are no group activities planned at this time.

Victorian Pines

Iron Mountain

906-774-5158

Sunday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 1:30 p.m.

Monday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; music with Crystal, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; bingo and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Catholic Mass, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; ladder ball and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; music with Pastor Jim, 1:30 p.m.

Friday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; birthday party, 1:30 p.m.

Saturday: Juice time, 10 a.m.

Pinecrest Medical

Care Facility

Powers

906-497-5244

Sunday: Spa treatments/manicures, 10:30 a.m.; ice cream social, 2 p.m.

Monday: Coffee social, 10:30 a.m.; movie, 2 p.m.; Skip-Bo, 3:30 p.m.; one-to-one visits, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Menu committee, 10:30 a.m.; Resident Council, 10:45 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; cards, 3:30 p.m.; sensory, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Spa treatments/manicures, 10 a.m.; social circle, 2 p.m.; cards, 3:30 p.m.; one-to-one visits, 6 p.m.

Thursday: Exercise, 10:30 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; cards, 3:30 p.m.

Friday: Catholic Mass, 10:30 a.m.; fall harvest craft show in Escanaba, 1:30 p.m.; one-to-one visits, 6 p.m.

Saturday: Trivia, 10:30 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

SENIOR CENTERS

Alpha-Mastodon Center

906-875-3315

The center at 415 Main St. is open four days a week, serving soup and sandwich meal from noon to 1 p.m. Thursdays, fish fries from 4 to 7 p.m. Fridays, pizzas from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturdays and dinner from 2 to 3 p.m. Sundays.

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Beef and broccoli Alfredo, side salad, cottage cheese and pineapple.

Wednesday: Sweet and sour pork, rice, Oriental vegetables and fortune cookies.

Thursday: Meatloaf, baked potato, buttered corn and dinner roll.

Breen Center

Kingsford

906-774-5110

Open for dine-in eating Monday through Thursday, serving at noon. Friday and night meals are on hold indefinitely. Carryout meals are available. Soup and salad bar are also available. Menu for the week —

Monday: Pork loin, carrots and sauerkraut.

Tuesday: Open-face hot beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, peas and carrots.

Wednesday: Ham and cheese sliders, broccoli cheese soup and pudding cup.

Thursday: Beef tips over mashed potatoes, green beans and dinner roll.

Note: All meals served with a choice of skim milk or juice and fruit.

Crystal Falls Center

Head Cook: Sterling Peryam

Assistant Cook: Bitsy Peryam

906-875-6709

The center is open on Mondays and serves meals for dine-in or takeout — call the center by 1 p.m. to make reservations or place an order. All food is purchased from local vendors. All dinners include warm vegetables, salad bar, soup, homemade desserts, coffee, tea or milk. Salad bar begins at 4:30 p.m. and dinner is served at 5 p.m. Pickup for takeout meals is 4 p.m. — call ahead and leave a message with phone number. A volunteer will deliver meals to homebound citizens only.

Menu for the week —

Monday: Shepherd’s pie with a dinner roll.

Tuesday: Barbecue chicken with rice pilaf.

Wednesday: Chop suey with chow mein noodles.

Home-delivered meals (prepared by DICSA — independent from above menu) —

Monday: Tuna melt, broccoli and tater tots.

Tuesday: Pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes and wax beans.

Wednesday: Cheeseburger, seasoned fries and confetti beans.

Thursday: Biscuits and gravy, hashbrowns and spiced fruit.

Dickinson-Iron Community Services Agency

DICSA

Iron Mountain

906-774-2256, ext. 230 or 235

This is a Meals on Wheels program only. Home-delivered meals only — call to make arrangements. Menu for the week —

Monday: Tuna melt, broccoli and tater tots.

Tuesday: Pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes and wax beans.

Wednesday: Cheeseburger, seasoned fries and confetti beans.

Thursday: Biscuits and gravy, hashbrowns and spiced fruit.

Friday: Gnocchi with meat sauce, Italian blend vegetables, garlic toast.

Note: All meals include a choice of skim milk, juice, or no beverage.

For more information, call Christine McMahon at 906-774-2256

Crystal Lake Center

Iron Mountain

906-828-1776

Schedule for the week:

Monday: Les Artistes’ Art Club, noon to 4 p.m.; woodcarvers, starting at 9 a.m.

Tuesday: Cards, pinochle and cribbage, noon to 4 p.m.; Happy Quilters, noon to 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Bingo, 1 to 3 p.m.; cards cost 25 cents with 10 games played.

Thursday: Spinning Spools quilting, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Friday: Cards, smear, noon to 4 p.m.

Felch Center

906-246-3559

Open for dine-in eating — call for serving times. Carryout meals also available. Menu for the week —

Monday: Pasty pie, coleslaw and tomato filets.

Tuesday: Chicken stuffing wrap, three bean salad, cottage cheese and pineapple.

Wednesday: Night meal — Roast beef, mashed potatoes with gravy, cauliflower and dinner roll.

Note: All meals served with skim milk or juice.

Home-delivered meals —

Monday: Tuna melt, broccoli and tater tots.

Tuesday: Pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes and wax beans.

Wednesday: Cheeseburger, seasoned fries and confetti beans.

Aging and Disability Resource Center

Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Director: Tiffany White

Menu for the week —

Monday: Soft shell tacos with lettuce, tomato and salsa, pasta salad, refried beans, fruit and cookies.

Tuesday: Shepherd’s pie, green beans and fruit.

Wednesday: Smothered chicken breast, baked sweet potato, broccoli and pumpkin bars.

Thursday: Homemade pizza, dark green salad and Jell-O with fruit.

Friday: Chicken fajita stir fry, rice pilaf, refried beans, cornbread and fruit.

Note: All meals served with whole grain bread, butter and milk.

Fence Center/Town Hall

715-336-2980

RSVP for meal at 855-528-2372

Same as ADRC menu, served at noon on Wednesdays only.

Florence Community Center/Town Hall

RSVP for meal at 715-528-4261

Same as ADRC menu., served at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday.

Reservations for a meal onsite need to be made 48 hours in advance by calling the above number.

Tipler Town Hall

RSVP for meals at 715-674-2320

Same as ADRC menu, served at noon on the second Thursday only.

Hillcrest Senior Dining Center, Aurora

RSVP for meals at 715-589-4491

Same as ADRC menu, served at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.

Hermansville Center

Coordinator: Barb Peters

906-498-7735

Center is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Meals are served through the Menominee-Delta-Schoolcraft Community Action Agency in Escanaba. Meals-On-Wheels program is available for those who are homebound.

Monday: Sloppy Joe, whole wheat hamburger bun, cook’s choice vegetable, oven potatoes and fruited yogurt.

Tuesday: Bourbon chicken breast, baked potato, carrots, fruit cup.

and whole wheat bread stick.

Wednesday: Beef pot pie, roasted broccoli, applesauce and whole wheat breadstick.

Thursday: Cream of broccoli soup, meat sandwich, whole wheat sandwich bread, cucumber salad and fruit cup.

Friday: Breaded pollack, garlic mashed potatoes, carrots, tropical fruit and whole wheat bread.

Iron River Center

906-265-6134

Open for dine-in eating, serving at 11 a.m. Salad bar is available. No night meals at this time. Carryout meals also available. Menu for the week —

Monday: Roast pork, mashed potatoes with gravy and baby dill carrots.

Tuesday: French bread pizza, cheesy breadstick with marinara sauce, Jell-O with fruit.

Wednesday: Ham and cheese sliders, broccoli cheese soup and pudding cup.

Thursday: Pepper steak, rice, winter blend vegetables and breadstick.

Niagara Senior Center/Cafe

715-251-1603

The center is open, and dinner is served at noon Monday through Thursday. Reservations are required one day in advance. Suggested donation is $5 for those older than 60 and $11 for 60 and younger. Bingo played on most Wednesdays. Transportation is available.

Monday: Cube steak with mushroom gravy, mashed potatoes, peas and peanut butter cookies.

Tuesday: Chicken pot pie with gravy, peaches, cottage cheese and dessert.

Wednesday: Meat lasagna, tossed salad with tomatoes, garlic bread and pudding.

Thursday: Cabbage rolls, broccoli, dinner roll and mixed fruit.

The center will have bingo on Mondays and Wednesdays this month.

Flu clinic on Wednesday.

Norway Center

Director: Joyce Olesky

Head Cook: Brian Gutkowski

906-563-8716

Open for dine-in eating beginning at 11:15 a.m. Salad bar is available from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Takeout meals will remain available for pick-up from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Let staff know if planning to dine in or pick up. Menu for the week —

Monday: Roast beef, mashed potatoes with gravy and vegetables.

Tuesday: Breakfast bake with sausage and hashbrowns.

Wednesday: Two-meal day — 11 a.m., ham and Swiss sliders, chips, vegetables; and 4 p.m. — barbecue ribs, mashed potatoes, gravy and vegetables.

Thursday: Italian sausage roll-up, breadstick and vegetables.

All meals include milk, juice, fruit, bread and dessert.

Board meeting on Thursday.

Center activity schedule:

Mondays and Thursdays — Exercise at 10 a.m. and card bingo after the meal.

Monday through Thursday — Card game 101 from noon to 3 p.m. Call Joe at 906-563-5587 for information.

Tuesdays — Quilting and sewing.

Wednesdays — Ceramics and crocheting.

Last Monday of each month — Book club at 9 a.m.

Second Thursday of each month — Birthdays and bingo.

Sagola Center

906-542-3273

Open for dine-in eating — call for serving times. Carryout meals also available. Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Sloppy Joes, curly fries and three bean salad (cold).

Wednesday: Sweet and sour pork, rice, Oriental vegetables and fortune cookie.

Thursday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, buttered corn and dinner roll.

All meals served with an option of milk, juice or no beverage.

Home-delivered meals —

Monday: Tuna melt, broccoli and tater tots.

Tuesday: Pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes and wax beans.

Wednesday: Cheeseburger, seasoned fries and confetti beans.